Mpow vs TaoTron­ics Blue­tooth 5.0 Trans­mit­ter: Which One Should You Buy

22 Feb 2019

When it comes to affordable yet good Bluetooth transmitters, two names pop up — Mpow and TaoTronics. These two devices often feature on the best Bluetooth peripherals list. But when it comes to choosing "The One," it's confusing to pick the best option. Are both the devices at par with each other? Or is there more than what meets the eye?

In this post, we are going to place the Mpow and TaoTronics Bluetooth 5.0 transmitters side by side and see which one of these is better suited for your needs.

Let the games ... errr ... comparison begin.

But before we begin, let's have a quick rundown of the specifications:

Property

MPOW Bluetooth Transmitter

TaoTronics Bluetooth Transmitter

Property

MPOW Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter

TaoTronics Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter

Bluetooth Version

5.0

5.0

Working Range

Up to 50 feet

33 feet

Transmitter and Receiver

Yes

Yes

Codec Supported

aptX HD

aptX Low Latency

Battery

400mAh battery

N/A

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Codec Supported & Latency

Let's start with the Bluetooth audio codecs. The MPOW Bluetooth transmitter and the TaoTronics Bluetooth-transmitter both have aptX LL (aptX Low Latency) bundled in. The aptX LL transmits audio at a higher bit rate of 352 kbps. If I were to compare it to aptX HD, the sound quality would diminish slightly. However, the transmission will be super fast. The latency is close to around 32 milliseconds.

However, there's a slight catch. The connected device also needs to support aptX, or else it will resort back to SBC, thus reducing the audio quality and invariably causing a delay.

So, as per this theory, both the devices should have no latency. Well, is it?

When it comes to the TaoTronics Bluetooth transmitter, there are hundreds of positive reviews about its performance and connectivity, but it's not perfect. As per some users on Amazon, at times the sync issues are noticeable while watching videos or movies.

Again, the latency also depends on the type of speakers and whether they support the said protocol.

Before we begin talking about the MPOW Bluetooth transmitter, let me say that the product is relatively new and hasn't seen as many user reviews like the one above, at least on Amazon. So far, the reception has been great with users talking about its great performance, strong reception and more importantly, about their lag-free experience.

The good thing is that the Mpow transmitter can detect compatible aptX LL (Low Latency) devices. If the indicators on the transmitter's body stay lit, it means that the connecting device is incompatible.

Before we go any further, let me state that latency doesn't play a significant role if you are using the device only for streaming music. But if you're thinking of connecting your TV to your wireless stereo, you might want to consider the latency issue.

Receiver or Transmitter

Both the devices double up as transmitter and receiver.

Fortunately, both the devices have a neat button at the top using which you can switch between the two modes.

Number of Supported Devices

Both the Mpow and the TaoTronics Bluetooth Transmitter let you connect up to two devices at the same time. All you have to do is bring the paired devices within the range, and they'll connect automatically.

It's worth noting that, in the case of the TaoTronics Bluetooth Transmitter, connecting a second device brought a certain level of lag as the device tends to use the standard audio codec.

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Range

Let us admit that the range of Bluetooth transmitter and receivers is one of the key features. A transmitter with a poor range is not worth your time at all. Luckily, both the devices have a pretty good range with the Mpow having a range up to 50 feet, and a user has backed up this claim with the following review.

Interestingly, the TaoTronics Bluetooth Transmitter has a range of up to 30 feet. And the device itself is pretty good in maintaining a consistent connection even when you are at a considerable distance from the transmitter.

The good range has more to do with Bluetooth 5.0 which has four times the range as its predecessor which means you can roam around the house without losing the connection.

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Portability & Connections

The Mpow Bluetooth Transmitter can be plugged to a wall outlet while you are using it. Also, the built-in battery ensures that you never run out of charge. Say suppose, you've plugged it into your TV's USB port. So when you turn your TV off, the transmitter will switch to the battery mode.

Speaking of the battery, it can hold a charge for up to 30 hours. Also, if you have to use it with a new system, you can clear the pairing list and start the pairing process from scratch. Do note that it doesn't have a built-in microphone, so you can't use it for hands-free calling. On the upside, it comes with a USB charging cable.

The TaoTronics transmitter also follows the same procedure. All you have to do is connect the transmitter to your TV by plugging the digital optical cable to the Audio out jack.

It gives you a battery life of about 15 hours and you can use it while charging. Do note that you'd need to repair the devices when the transmitter loses power rapidly.

Which One Should You Buy?

Choosing between two devices with similar specs is by no means an easy task. In our case, both connect via 3.5mm audio jack, both have transmitter and receiver capabilities, and have an excellent range: basically, the features everyone wants. However, before we decide on which one to buy, it would really help to know how would be using these devices.

Undoubtedly, the TaoTronics transmitter has a few latency issues. However, this latency doesn't come into the picture if you'd be using it solely for listening to music or streaming online songs. You will barely be able to notice the difference. But I might think twice before connecting it to my TV.

As opposed to the above, users (so far) haven't voiced any latency issues for the Mpow transmitter, and hopefully, it stays as such.

When it comes to the pricing, the TaoTronics Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter and Receiver is priced at $33.99 while you can get the Mpow Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter and Receiver for $42.99.

Next up: Looking for a good Bluetooth speaker? We list some of the best speakers that are taking the market by storm.

Last updated on 2 Sep, 2019
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Written By

Namrata loves writing about products and gadgets. She has been working for Guiding Tech since 2017 and has around three years of experience writing features, how-tos, buying guides, and explainers. Previously she worked as an IT Analyst at TCS, but she found her calling elsewhere.